Champs crowned on final day at Golden Gloves

Standing-room only for final day of tournament

GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES
Tyler Hampton (right) with the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association snapped Estevan Gonzales’ head back with two sharp jabs before flooring him with with a right cross in the third round Saturday at the Al Gonzalez Boxing Club.

CORPUS CHRISTI - The atmosphere was magnified on the final night of the 70th annual Golden Gloves tournament. Championship night is always met with enthusiasm as athletes attempt to culminate months of hard work with the ultimate prize, but the standing-room only crowd was especially captivated by a night of tremendous action.

Luis Carrasco delivered the first stoppage of the night, benefitting from effective aggression while landing big right hands on his opponent John Vela. Carrasco stayed patient after scoring a stiff right hand in the second round, which led to a standing eight count and ultimately the end of the fight.

Albert Sanchez of the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association also delivered a stoppage by overwhelming Estevan Gonzalez. Sanchez landed a devastating right hand on the southpaw and sent him to the canvas. Sanchez stayed patient and waited for the right time to be aggressive, but once he smelled blood it was over.

The only female fight of the night took place between Munguia's Rianna Rios against Janelle Leal in the 132-pound female open division. Rios picked her shots well and displayed a high level boxing approach. Rios showed she could fight inside and outside, but was even more impressive with her ability to maintain an effective distance. After pitching a virtual shutout through four rounds, Rios walked away with the decision victory.

In the much-anticipated Masters Division bout, the rematch pitted two former Golden Glove fighters when Albert Gomez squared off against Porfirio Zamora. They set a brisk pace and the size difference between the two — Gomez was noticeably bigger — didn't factor in as much as it probably should have and Zamora found a way to fight inside, delivering looping shots. Gomez stayed strong and fought back, which helped him shift the momentum. Gomez was able to stay away and deliver well-timed shots which led to a decision victory.

In the heavyweight open division, returning champion Robert Gutierrez delivered a physical onslaught against his Jonathan Rodriguez. Gutierrez was dropping bombs on his opponent for two rounds and even managed to gain a standing eight count off a stiff right hand. However, Rodriguez came on late in the third by closing out with a flurry of punches as he opened up Gutierrez's nose. The blood spewed from Gutierrez, which seemed to awake the beast, and both men stood trading punches till the final bell. It was a spirited contest, but Gutierrez took the decision and will be on his way to Fort Worth to continue fighting.